E46M3 Workshop manual

Douglas

New member
Does anyone know whether a E46 M3 workshop manual exists? A few years ago I tried Motorbooks in Craighall but they did not have such a thing.

I would appreciate it if you would let me know if you have one and where I might be able to buy one.

Thanks
 

Johan Kleynhans

New member
Douglas, I have a Bentley manual for the E 46 that includes the M3. But it is not a workshop manual, only a service manual. It is quite comprehensive and covers most items including electrics and bodywork. It is a thick (±1000 pages) of A4 size with photo's. I bought it via mail order for my own use, but the buggers never told me it does not cover the diesel models!:cursin: It was quite pricey though at around R995!!
By saying it is a service manual, I may give you the wrong impression. It does cover things like head removal etc, but you need to have mechanical knowledge to really use it. It is not as comprehensive and detailed as a Haynes manual. PM me if I can assist.:thumbsup:
 

Douglas

New member
Thanks for the suggestion Johan

I received the Bentley manual today which I ordered directly from Amazon. Seems to be quite comprehensive.

With Alpina B3's guidance and help I removed the gearbox from my 2002 E46 manual M3 last Friday. It is quite interesting to read the workshop manual a week after you did the job. You realise how easy it appears to be in the "step by steps" in the manual. It was reasonably easy removing all the surrounding bits and pieces (exhaust, heat shields, sump covers, propshaft, starter motor etc.)....the real challenge was loosening those last 3 impossible to reach torx screws! I took lots of pictures along the way. That is a beast of a gearbox. Thanks to Mployer and AlpinaB3.

I don't have a history of working on cars and my job has me office bound so this was quite a novel experience but without the pressure of time it was a good experience (I was on leave and my colleagues think I am a nutter).

The reason for removing the gearbox is to repair a damaged synchro.
 

zaleonardz

Well-known member
Douglas,

Total respect dude, noobs that attempt a job like that clearly are not noobs afterwards.

Is it not an amazing feeling having done such a job yourself :)

Think of it, another 8 bolts or so, and you can have done a clutch job on an M3, something a shop will charge you 3k to do :)

Erlemans in JHB will do a really professional job on those syncro's

They are VW gearbox boffins, but does work on manual boxes as well, as they give a decent respectable warenteee..

:thumbsup:
 
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